sxsw09 Sat Mar 14 2009

Heading South to SXSW 2009, Blueblood, Day 1

By Anne Holub

[Sent in this afternoon from Thom of Blueblood, who we'll be following for the next week or so as they make their way from Chicago to Austin to play at SXSW 2009.]

We arrived in Milwaukee by 6pm. We weren't schduled to load in until 9pm. We sat in Frank's Power Plant for few Sprecher micro lites. (So good). We then acted on a suggestion and made our to Palomino for dinner. Upon walking through the door, we see an old High School friend of mine and Michael's, Robyn Lucks. Robyn moved to Milwaukee about 3 years ago, and has since grown some roots in our fav city to the north. After a delicious, yet plentiful vegan dinner, we went back to Frank's. We arrived back at about 9pm. We were rushed to put our gear together witj a quickness, as they had to squeeze 4 bands in that night before 1am. Blueblood took the stage at 10pm sharp, and played 7 songs to a sparce room.

As soon as our last song ended the 2nd band to play that night, Terrible Twos (from Detroit) had their gear awkardly positioned on the stage, which by the way, had the most challenging drum riser that was too shallow and too narrow to fit even a 3-piece drum kit, comfortably. I creatively set it up, and played through the set, all the while bashing my elbow against the wall, which was about quarter inch to the left of the hi-hat. But hey..... We gave out 5 cds, and discovered that another friend from high school, Jake Simon, had showed up. Anyway... Free beer and a really cool set from Call Me Lightning, made for a drunken foursome.

After loading up and mentally negotiating a hotel for the night, a little lucky charm named Matt, literally swung open the van door, hopped in and instructed Shaun to drive us 20 minutes to the "fun-time party".

The first attempt at the Fun-time party's actual location resulted in crashing a double date between two couples. Suddenly Matt realizes, were at the wrong house... We pile both couples, Matt and another couple we meet on the street, totalling at 12 people in our 97 Dodge club wagon, with one bench seat, and two captain chairs. The crowded clown car arrived a short while later at another party. This party proved to be the real-deal! Keystone light and Lienie's cans were plentiful, and we had a great time hanging out with people who were in the bar, during our set at Frank's. "You played tonight?" Was a common reaction last night. We made friendly ties with one of the couples from the first house... Who allowed us to stink up their living room. We all went back to their apartment, and they offered us vitamin water and vodka! By now its 4am, or later.. and Shaun and I wash down our tylonol pm's with some 500mg Ibuprofen with the vodka creations.

The male of the nice couple was offering us coke and pills, but... Being past 4am in the morning.. We declined. Who the hell wants to do blow at 4am? We crashed their living room and snuggled their delightful animal companions, Loki the wheezing pug, and Squeegee, the long-haired cat.

When I awoke, spooning Shaun on a futon... I noticed that Michael was on the floor, face-down. This was interesting, due to the fact that Mike was on the couch, and Mark was on the floor- when I passed out.

When we awoke, we combated our hangovers with more vodka-infused vitamin waters, and devoured breakfast baked goods, Shaun had created using left-over pot he vaporized.

An hour later we were wandering a Pick n Save grocery store, followed by a visit to the lake front, and then an awesome brewery tour of Lakefront Brewery. The $6 tour provided about 6 beer "samples". Being pretty high, and now drunk was a fun time, but after the tour... We decided it was time to discover what Madison has to offer.

Arrived in Madison, slightly hungover at 4pm.

--Thom

SXSW tour dates for Blueblood

March 13th- Milwaukee, WI, Frank's Power Plant
March 14th- Madison, WI, The Frequency
March 15th- Des Moines, IA, Vaudeville Mews
March 16th- Lincoln, NE, Box Awesome
March 17th- Kansas City, MO, (day off celebrating St. Pats.)
March 18th- Denton, TX, Dan's Silverleaf
March 19th- Austin, TX, Co-Lab Eastside Escape, 4pm
March 20th- Austin, TX, Brodown Hoedown II Day Party @ Back Alley Social, 2pm
March 21st- Austin, TX, Reggie's Chicago Day Party @ The Jackalope, 3pm